Dodging controversies on the 9th Star Magic Ball red carpet
“These kids are young and know how to have a good time, but please not on a plane,” commented singer Martin Nievera on the incident involving an allegedly drunk Enrique Gil, who caused a commotion on board a passenger plane bound for London.
Interviewed on the red carpet of the Makati Shangri-La Hotel’s Rizal Ballroom for the 9th Star Magic Ball, Nievera said he was part of the
40-man delegation that flew to London for a special program for “Asap” in early September, “but I wasn’t on the controversial flight. I have heard about it. In my opinion, incidents like that normally happen to youngsters.”
Enrique, who attended the highly publicized event on Saturday night with onscreen partner Liza Soberano, has since apologized to the public and to fellow ABS-CBN contract artists who were affected by his reportedly rowdy behavior on the plane.
Actor Piolo Pascual likewise hogged headlines when his photo with ex-girlfriend KC Concepcion taken in London circulated on social media sites. “I only found out (about the news) when I came back from London. It was my mom who told me about what was going on. It wasn’t a big deal [for KC and me]. We’ve been okay for a long time now. I guess it was good that our photo was uploaded—for the peace of mind of everyone,” said Piolo, who wore a black Dior suit. He arrived at the party with teenage son Iñigo.
Paulo Avelino, who was once rumored to have dated KC, admitted he had also talked with her in London. “We’ve always been okay,” said Paulo, who chose to walk the red carpet all by himself in a black Gucci suit.
While Piolo and Paulo were dateless that night, many Kapamilya actors opted to arrive with their best accessories—their lady loves.
Dispelling breakup rumors, actors Zanjoe Marudo and John Lloyd Cruz strutted the red carpet with their girlfriends Bea Alonzo and Angelica Panganiban, respectively.
Jericho Rosales was with wife Kim Jones, while Richard Poon was with Maricar Reyes. The ladies both looked stunning and elegant in form-fitting white gowns. The night’s color motifs were nude, champagne, ecru and white for women, and black and white for men.
“You learn a lot about yourself when you get married,” said Maricar, who donned a Vania Romoff creation. “It’s when you realize how selfish you really are—that you have to adjust to a lot of things.” Maricar and Richard said they hoped to have a baby within the year.
Meanwhile, Jericho and Kim said they want to enjoy married life before having kids. “Once you’ve got kids, you can’t go back. We still want to do a lot of things before having a baby,” said the British-Filipino Kim, who wore a Jun Escario number that night.
“Pasion de Amor” lead actors Jake Cuenca, Ejay Falcon and Joseph Marco all brought dates to the ball. Jake was with 19-year-old girlfriend Sara Grace Kelly, Ejay with Ellen Adarna, and Joseph, with Kazel Kinouchi.
Although dateless that night, Vina Morales, in a Francis Libiran nude gown, is not exactly loveless. She said that “after seven years, I’ve finally met someone who makes me happy. He is a French businessman.”
Vina’s sister Shaina Magdayao, who also chose to walk solo on the red carpet, said she was very happy for her big sister. “He is very nice. I like that he would always reach out to us,” said Shaina, in a champagne-colored John Herrera creation.
Teen star Janella Salvador looked radiant in her Pepsi Herrera ecru gown. Asked how she was holding up after the death of her good friend and “Oh My G” costar Julia Buencamino, Janella said: “I miss her. I keep in mind that she’s in a better and happier place now.”
The following were the recipients of special awards that night: Kim Chiu and Xian Lim, Couple of the Night; Sam Milby and Julia Montes, Stars of the Night; Denise Laurel, The Burt’s Bee’s Charmer of the Night; Daniel Padilla and Kathryn Bernardo, Best Dressed Couple; and Jericho Rosales and Kim Jones, Moet and Chandon Fabulous Pair.
The program was partly a tribute to ABS-CBN president Charo Santos-Concio, who will be retiring from work soon.
